UP exceeds paddy purchase target, ahead of deadline

Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in the country to exceed the target of paddy purchase and that too, about two months in advance.

According to the government spokesman, till date, the state has purchased 60 lakh metric tonnes of paddy against a target of 55 lakh metric tonnes.

The spokesperson said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to continue with the purchase.

The total purchase is likely to touch 70 lakh tonnes this year which is about 14 lakh metric tonnes more than the previous year.

The spokesman said Rs 7,800 crore has so far been paid to more than one lakh paddy farmers and it will purchase other Kharif crops like paddy, maize, and groundnut by February 28.

A sum of Rs 31,905 crore was paid to paddy farmers in the last four years, making a record for the highest payment in the state this year.